The Speckled Bush-cricket is found in southern
England and Wales. They are quite common in overgrown gardens and
similar rough grassland.

It is flightless though there
are two tiny remnants of wings. The male, as shown here, lacks
the large and obvious ovipositor of the female. Note the tiny
black spots on the body which give the insect both its English
and its scientific names.

Eggs are laid in bark where they overwinter
hatching in May. The nymphs feed on the leaves of brambles,
nettles and honeysuckle. Full maturity is reached by August and
adults live until November. The male makes a faint, high-pitched chirp every few seconds.